CLEVELAND, Ohio — With De’Andre Hunter potentially sidelined for the Cavs’ season opener against the New York Knicks, head coach Kenny Atkinson faces a pivotal decision that goes beyond simply filling a lineup spot.

If Hunter is unable to play, the choice between second-year Jaylon Tyson and veteran Dean Wade for the starting small forward position reveals deeper organizational philosophies about development, rotation consistency, and veteran loyalty.

On the latest Wine and Gold Talk podcast, cleveland.com Cavs beat reporter Chris Fedor made a compelling case for starting the rookie: “I think from a consistency of the lineup and a consistency of the rotation standpoint, I think just the easier answer to keep everything else in line as much as you possibly can, I think the easier answer i

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